Thumper

Known as Thumpers owing to the characteristic sound of their 4-SRKT English Electric diesel engine that powers the DC generator. The Hasting Class 1001 had flat sides in order to be able to pass through the width restricted tunnels at Wadhurst on the Hastings Line. The line through the tunnels has now been singled.

https://www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk/

When the line was built in 1850s it was found that the tunnels were so narrow and poorly lined that several more layers of bricks had to be added to stop the tunnels collapsing. Which meant that standard stock were out of gauge and so flat sided stock had to be built to fit through the tunnels.

We’ve have this set for a few days to work the B set. The A set is also worked by a diesel today, the Class 20 which I posted last Wednesday. Diesel operated service is partly due to the fire risk and party due to the non-availability of steam locomotives. As it was a fire was reported on a sleeper just up from the box.

An interesting start to the day at the Class 20 was buried in the yard behind two unserviceable steam locos. These had to be shunted out onto the loop, the Class 20 run round, approached from behind and shunted back into the yard. All this before the loco could depart for Tenterden for the first train of the day.

The Hastings DEMUs are part of a fleet owned, maintained and run by the Hastings Diesel Ltd. Restored to a very high standard the units are maintained line certified and can often be found on excursions.

The extra is of that Class 20 again